Pneumatically actuated clutch

ABSTRACT

A clutch assembly having a drive shaft operably connected to a first hub or clutch plate. A second hub or clutch plate adjacent to the first clutch plate and operably connected to a second drive shaft. A release ring positioned to selectively release both clutch plates. Positioned to engage the release ring is a pneumatic actuating member that is operably connected to a source of compressed air.

CROSS REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION:

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 11/306,654 filed Jan. 5, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed toward a clutch that requires a small amount of current to actuate, and more specifically to a clutch that is actuated pneumatically.

Clutches are well known in the art and are used on a variety of mechanical devices. Typically, clutches are actuated either mechanically or electrically such as with a solenoid or the like. In some systems, particularly low current systems, the amount of current required to actuate the clutch limits the number of clutches that may be used in a system. For example, for a typical corn planter, a solenoid requires approximately 30 amps to pull a piston to engage a release ring, and approximately 1 amp to hold the piston in engagement. As a result, based on the limitations of the electrical system, one clutch is used to activate several corn planters. With the advent of GPS, this creates inefficiencies in planting where independent control of each planter is desired. Therefore, a need exists in the art for a device that addresses these deficiencies.

An object of the present invention is to provide a pneumatically actuated clutch.

A further objective of the present invention is to provide a clutch that is actuated by a reduced amount of current.

These and other objectives will be apparent to those skilled in the art based on the following written description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A clutch assembly having a drive shaft operably connected to a first hub or clutch plate. A second hub or clutch plate adjacent to the first clutch plate and operably connected to a second drive shaft. A release ring positioned to selectively release both clutch plates. Positioned to engage the release ring is a pneumatic actuating member that is operably connected to a source of compressed air.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pneumatic clutch assembly;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a pneumatic clutch assembly;

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of an alternative pneumatic clutch assembly; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an actuating system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the Figures the pneumatically actuated clutch is generally referred to by reference numeral 10. The clutch may be of any shape, size, and structure and used for a variety of applications including use with automobiles, air conditioners, chainsaws, farm implements, and the like. The following description is of a clutch used with a corn planter and is used for illustration purposes only and is not intended to limit the invention in any manner.

The clutch 10 has a pair of drive shafts 12, 14, that are operatively connected to a first 16 and a second 18 hub or clutch plate. One drive shaft 12 is operably driven by a motor or pulley (not shown) and the other shaft is operatively connected to an operating device such as a corn planter (not shown). The first and second clutch plates 16 and 18 are adjacent to one another and are partially received by a torsion spring (not shown) which in a natural state is compressed against hubs 16 and 18 such that they rotate together. Surrounding the torsion spring is a release ring 20.

Positioned to selectively engage the release ring 20 is a pneumatic actuating member 22. The actuating member 22 is of any size, shape, and structure that permits expansion to engage the release ring 20. One example of an actuating member 22 is a rubber tube that is operatively connected to a source of compressed air 24. Alternatively, the actuating member 22 is an air bag connected to a source of compressed air 24 or an air cylinder that activates a piston that engages ring 20. Preferably, the actuating member 22 expands approximately 300% under 35 PSI and has a compound on the members 22 outer surface that becomes sticky as the member expands to better engage the release ring 20.

The source of compressed air 24 is of any type including a 12V portable compressor mounted to a vehicle or a rechargeable portable tank without a compressor. The source of compressed air 24 may be electrically connected to a controller 26 that sends a signal to activate the source of compressed air 24 which in turn activates the pneumatic actuating member 22. The controller 26 may be wirelessly connected to a GPS system 28 to permit activation based on geographic location.

In operation the motor or pulley rotates drive shaft 12 which in turn rotates hub 16. In a non-actuated state clutch plate 18 and shaft 14 rotate together. To activate, an operator either manually activates the source of compressed air 24 or the source of compressed air is activated by a signal received from the controller 26. Once activated, compressed air is released and provided to the pneumatic actuating member 22 which causes member 22 to engage the release ring 20. When engaged by the member 22, the release ring 20 frictionally engages the torsion spring such that the hubs 16 and 18 are rotatably released and do not rotate together. This arrangement requires approximately 15 milliamps of current.

In another example, such as a clutch 10 used for an automobile, a flywheel 30 is mounted to an engine 32. A drive shaft 14 is received in a hub 34 and extends outwardly therefrom. Mounted about shaft 14 and positioned to engage the flywheel 30 is a clutch plate 16. Positioned to engage the clutch plate 16 is a pneumatic actuating member 22 that is operably connected to a source of compressed air 24. The actuating member 22 is mounted within a clutch cover 36. To actuate the clutch 10 compressed air is released from the source of compressed air 24 to the actuating member 22. The released air fills the actuating member 22 such that the member 22 expands pressing clutch plate 16 into frictional engagement with the flywheel 30.

In order to selectively and independently activate actuating members 22 a valve module 38, as shown by example in FIG. 4, is used. The valve module 38 is electrically connected to the controller 26 for either manual activation or activation through a conventional GPS system 28.

The valve module 38 includes a housing 40 that contains a plurality of valves 42. The valves 42 are connected, through the housing 40, to the source of compressed air 24 by tube 43. Also connected to each valve 42 at one end is an air tube 44 that is connected to the pneumatic actuating member 22 at the opposite end of the air tube 44. Multiple actuating members 22 may be connected to each air tube 44 through the use of at least one or more connectors 46 such as a Y or T connector. This connection system is known as “daisy channing” and allows one to easily connect and disconnect actuating members 22 based on the desired application. In this manner a group of actuating members 22 are activated when a selected valve 42 is activated by the controller 26.

This system is particularly valuable in a planting device. For example, a twelve row planter using a valve module 38 having four valves 42 may be set to control four sections of three rows each. Should greater control be desired, a second valve module 38 may be added having two valves 42 so that the modules 38 may be set to control six sections of two rows each.

In operation the controller 26 transmits a signal to activate the source of compressed air 24 and also selectively activates valves 42 based either on a manual command or a geographic location as determined by the GPS system 28. Once activated, valve 42 permits compressed air to travel through tube 44 to the actuating member 22 to activate the actuating member 22.

Therefore, a pneumatic actuated clutch has been shown that, at the very least, meets all the stated objectives. 

1. An actuating system for a planting device, comprising: a spring actuated clutch having a release ring; a pneumatic actuating member connected to a source of compressed air through a valve and positioned to engage the release ring; the source of compressed air being connected to a controller that activates the source of compressed air.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller activates the source of compressed air based on a manual command.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller activates the source of compressed air based on a geographic location determined by a GPS system.
 4. An actuating system for a planting device, comprising: more than one spring actuated clutch, with each clutch having a release ring, more than one pneumatic actuating member positioned to engage the clutches, a valve module having more than one valve, the valves connected to the actuating members and a source of compressed air; a controller connected to the source of compressed air and the valve module that activates the valves and the source of compressed air.
 5. The system of claim 4 wherein the valves are connected to more than one actuating member.
 6. The system of claim 5 herein the controller activates the compressed air and the valves based on a manual command.
 7. The system of claim 5 wherein the controller activates the compressed air and the valves based on geographic location determined by a GPS system. 